Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1887-07-06

L
Chambers be dead. BY jove, here's an
idea" Thus he walked about soloquiz-
ing and formulating plans for the flu
| ture. l
Here an" he continued, a ''strang-
er in a strange land. No one here knows
| me, nor where come from. Thoughts of
the past arc bitter and harrow my soul,
and the very sound of my own name
has grown distasteful to me. There
can be no harm in IT, BY iove, I'll do
il" and with this las resolve he re-
turned to the ''Nosepaint' and re-
| tired.
From that moment Gerald Chambers
was dead to the world When he
looked about next day for some bust
ness opportunity the inhabitants knew
him as James Johnson, man who had
met financial reverscs in the East and
| like themselves, had drifted TO Oreton
In hopes of replenishing his empty
| Golfers.
AS time wore on his superior quail
| ties generally and many amiable traits
won him the friendship and esteem of
the entire community. His appear
ance and bearing gained him the re-
| spect Of all. He was prosperous be-
You'd his most sanguine expectations
and in short time became the leading
spirit in all enterprises His enthusi-
assn in matters pertaining to the well
fare of Oreton was unbounded, and
public honors were placed at his dis.
posal. Every body had q good word
for James Johnson.
Ten years works wonders, The iittle
mining camp of Oreton was now q
prosperous city, Large buildings had
been erected, and in place of the once
famous "Nosepaint' Hotel substan-
tial four-story structure had been built
for the same purpose by James John
son, who was now looked upon and
recognized as the leading man of the
place.
Ten years had not entirely sufficed to
obliterate the scar upon his heart, and
the fact of his still being unmarried
proved his fidelity TO his first love. But
this was soon TO change-sooner than
he anticipated. Time is II great healer
of mental wounds, and he who had re-
solved never to wed unless il be to Har-
riet Lane, would shortly find himself
growing well and strong once more.
Oreton had become quite an objective
point for summer tourists, and even
though half score years had passed,
johnson occasionally saw people whom
he had known in his earlier life--when
he was Gerald Chambers But no one
recognized him; his full beard was alone
sufficient to prevent this. The Johnson
House--as the citizens insisted the new
hotel should be called-being the lead
ing hostelry of the city, was, of course,
frequented by the better class of
tourists.
Among the latter this summer were
two ladies, Miss DcBar and her maid.
The formcrworc a deep black costume,
manifesting the fact that she had prob
ably sustained some serious family
affection, and her general appearance
indicated that she was in poor health.
Mr.. johnson at once felt u kindly inter-
est in the lady, and CLEANED from her
the fact of her fathers death; that she
had been i'll for some time, and that
her physician had advised her to make
tour of the West.
As the time passed and the intimacy
between them became more marked, he
confessed To himself that he loved the
beautiful invalid She gratefully ac-
copied all the little kind offices which
he bestowed on her, and matters pro-
crossed favorably between them.
But all summers have IN end, and
with the end of this one came Il tempo
rary end TO Johnson ; cherished dreams.
Miss DeBar was very reticent in regard
to her family affairs, merely mention
ing that her father was dead and
that her home was in New York.
A. We said before, all things
must come To Il close. aud when, there
fore, she announced that her depart
ure in a few days was necessity. he
grew unaccountably sad. He would
| lady have asked her to remain and
share his all, but he could not. A
strange, inward feeling advised him
otherwise. and so he followed the die
from mentioning that which would
have made him II happy man.
On the day of Miss DcBar's depart
ure he was, much to his regret, sud-
denly called away to ncighboring
city on business matters of great inn
portance. He was in hope of receive
ing an invitation to visit her, for dur
ing one of their drives he had in
formed her that he would be obliged
to return East the coming winter. He
was the president of two or three min
ing companies, and rs the principal
stockholders were Wall street opera
tors his presence would be compulsory.
Now that she was gone he was afraid
that he should hear no more of her.
When he returned to Oreton the hotel
clerk handed him note written
in delicate hand, and on the
seal was the impression of
the letter III" He started as
if struck Where had he seen that seal
bcforcP Ten years had passed, but ten
years more could not blot out that i'm
preston from his memory. He retired
Mt once to his room, for note bearing
this seal was too holy to be read in the
presence Of others. IL read:
''OREToN, COLO, Sept 1, 1885.
| "Mr. James johnson:
"EsTEEMED SIR: Please do not think me
| rude or unadylike for pursuing this course TO
express TO you my appreciation OF your many
i favors. feel that am Indebted to you for the
i heneHciul re snlts 70 my healih md would he